STD Testing Specialist

Capital Women's Care

OB-GYNs located in Arlington, VA & McLean, VA

An untreated sexually transmitted disease can have serious consequences, such as infertility. That’s why the OB/GYN specialists at Capital Women’s Care in Arlington and McLean, Virginia, recommend regular screening for their patients. Testing is discrete, and it's a responsible health measure for any woman who is sexually active, especially if she is trying to have a baby or is single with a variety of partners. If you are looking for a practice that will respect your privacy while you have STD tests done, call Capital Women’s Care for an appointment.

STD Testing Q&A

What are some common STD tests done on women?

There are some specific screening tests that Dr. Shah or Dr. Caskie with Capital Women’s Care will recommend for most patients during a well-woman exam, especially if the patient is new and sexually active.

By getting screened, women can receive a proper diagnosis and treatment plan if they do test positive. Some typical STDs that the practice tests for include:

HPV

Chlamydia

Gonorrhea

Syphilis

Herpes

Trichomoniasis

HIV/AIDS

Not all STDs have symptoms, so testing is necessary to rule out these infections and avoid potential complications.

What is HPV?

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in this country. There are more than 40 different versions of this one viral infection, and it's transmitted through both skin-to-skin contact and sex.

Most forms of HPV are harmless and something the body fights off on its own. Others can lead to more serious problems, such as cancer of the mouth, throat or cervix.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends women between the ages of 11 and 26 get the HPV vaccine to help protect them from infection. Dr. Williams or one of the other GYN specialists at Capital Women’s Care discuss this option with each qualified patient during their regular wellness exam.

What are the symptoms of an STD?

One of the most significant problems with sexually transmitted diseases is that many don’t have symptoms. Of the ones that do, some common complaints include:

Thick vaginal discharge

Painful urination

Painful bowel movements

Itching

Lower abdominal pain

Bleeding between periods

Painful intercourse

Bumps or blisters on or near the vagina

A rash in the genital area, on the buttocks, or on the inner thighs

Who should get STD screening?

Everyone should have screening done at least once during their lifetime, especially for conditions such as HIV or HPV. Pregnant women or a patient looking to get pregnant should be screened.

Any sexually active patient may have common STD tests done as part of her regular wellness exam, especially if she has certain risk factors, such as multiple partners or a partner who has tested positive for an STD.